Published: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 01:29 PM.

CRESTVIEW — An Amateur Athletic Union basketball tournament could bring up to 1,000 visitors to town, officials with the Crestview Heat AAU team told city leaders.

Addressing the City Council, Heat organizer Tony John said the home team has played "all over Northwest Florida," but there has never been a tournament in Crestview.

Players would come from throughout the country for the March tournament, John said.

"It would bring business to our hotels and restaurants," he said on Monday, noting Crestview has "one of the top-ranked teams in the state."

Organizer Shavon Scott said the Heat had also met with coaches and principals at Crestview High School and Davidson Middle School about using their gymnasiums, but scheduling conflicts required them to seek another venue.

The team asked to host the tournament at the Twin Hills Park gymnasium.

City attorney Jerry Miller noted that scheduling and use of city facilities are administrative matters, not something the council needs to take up as a legislative body.

CRESTVIEW — An Amateur Athletic Union basketball tournament could bring up to 1,000 visitors to town, officials with the Crestview Heat AAU team told city leaders.

Addressing the City Council, Heat organizer Tony John said the home team has played "all over Northwest Florida," but there has never been a tournament in Crestview.

Players would come from throughout the country for the March tournament, John said.

"It would bring business to our hotels and restaurants," he said on Monday, noting Crestview has "one of the top-ranked teams in the state."

Organizer Shavon Scott said the Heat had also met with coaches and principals at Crestview High School and Davidson Middle School about using their gymnasiums, but scheduling conflicts required them to seek another venue.

The team asked to host the tournament at the Twin Hills Park gymnasium.

City attorney Jerry Miller noted that scheduling and use of city facilities are administrative matters, not something the council needs to take up as a legislative body.

"I recommend we turn it over to (Public Works Director Wayne) Steele and let him handle it," Councilman Joe Blocker said. Steele's department oversees the Parks and Recreation division.

Rental for the gym is $50 an hour, City Clerk Betsy Roy said.

The council praised the organization for attracting the tournament to Crestview, and congratulated several team members who attended the meeting to support the request.

"Kudos to all of you for orchestrating this event," Council President Robyn Helt said.